OK....so...We are waiting for our paperwork to be returned from the Chinese Embassy in Houston Texas. They are currently checking that we crossed every "t" and dotted every "i". I really hope we did also. If we did, we should get everything back in about a week. Then we give everything to our local agency here to review and she will send it to our agency's main office. Then they will recheck everything and send it to China. We will officially be DTC. Then we wait..some more for a "log in date" this will be our official starting time to wait. In about 12-14 long months we will receive a call stating that we have a referral. 8 weeks later we will travel to China to get our little girl. My son asked me the other day why his baby sister was stuck in China?? I have no answers for him but told him that she must not be ready to come home yet but hopefully she will come home when he's 4. He has no concept of time and will probably ask again tomorrow. I wish we hadn't told him yet as it will be a looong 14 months for him. As for me, I'm holding up. The woman who originally got me interested in adopting from China is there NOW, bringing home her baby girl. I know they are ready to come home and wish them a safe trip home. See you soon.

Legacy of an Adopted Child
Once there were two women, who never new each other
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother
Two different lives shaped to make you one
One became your guiding star the other became your sun
The first one gave you life and the second taught you to live it.
The first one gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it
One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name
One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears.
One saw you first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
One sought for you a home that she could not provide
The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me through your tears
The age-old question, unanswered through the years.
Heredity or environment which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling. Neither.
Just two different kinds of love.
Author Unknown

A Whisper

A Whisper started our journey,
Yet with no spoken word.
A whisper tugged upon our hearts,
Instead of being heard.

Your family is not quite complete;
There is yet another.
A precious child that waits
for a father and a mother.

Another tiny hand to hold,
A child to embrace.
Another priceless little smile,
A reminder of Gods' grace.

A whisper offered us faith
As we asked, "who?" "When?" and "Where?"
Our serach in paths found direction
As we whispered back in prayer.

Her little hand your're soon to hold
In a family hug, embrace.
Your're soon to see her priceless smile,
A reminder of God's grace.

Thank You, Lord, for all you've done
and all that you will do
Thanks for whispering to our hearts.......
I have a child for you.

I-171 RECEIVED

Yeah....we're doing a happy dance. OK, not quite dancing but maybe a little toe tapping. We received our I-171, our final document needed to complete our dossier. We had it notarized, and it is officially on its way to Tallahassee to be Certified. When we received it back we will send the whole bunch of paperwork to Houston to be Authenticated. Then I will send it to our local agency rep here who will check to make sure everthing is in order and then hopefully send it to the main office. Then it is DTC (Dossier To China) where it is translated and then sent to the CCAA (Chinese Children Adoption Association...I think) and they will Log it in. We then will receive an official LID (Log In Date) and our wait begins!!! The current wait is around 13-14 months and projected to get longer.